10/25/2026
The photo here shows a list of the Directors and executive officers of the Bank of Edwardsville in 1820. Some of them are famous, others not so much. Here's what they were known for, in the order their names are listed:
B. Stephenson - owner of the Stephenson House, militia Colonel, and Receiver of Public Monies at the Edwardsville Land Office.
John Todd - a doctor who took care of Stephenson near the end of his life. He was also the uncle of Mary Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's wife.
Ninian Edwards - a close friend of Benjamin Stephenson who served as territorial governor of Illinois and later Governor of the state of Illinois. Edwardsville is named after him.
Daniel P. Cook - Illinois's first representative in Congress. Cook County is named after him.
Theophilus W. Smith - later appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court and became the only justice to ever be impeached, though he was acquitted. He also threatened Ninian Edwards with a gun, but Edwards fought back and won.
Palemon W. Wi******er - Benjamin Stephenson's son-in-law. He was involved in a major murder trial.
Samuel Whiteside - a militiaman who served in the War of 1812 and the Black Hawk War. He represented Madison County in the first Illinois General Assembly. Whiteside County is named after him.
Martin Jones - unfortunately, we couldn't find anything on Jones except that he served as a Director of the bank.
Jacob Judy - a militiaman and landowner.
Richard T. M'Kenney - mainly known for his work as Cashier of the bank. He was one of the administrators of Stephenson's estate after his death.
